The Grand Arena fell into complete chaos the moment Lian vanished with Elara in his arms.
At first, there was only stunned silence.
Hundreds of thousands of spectators sat frozen in their seats, mouths open, eyes wide, as if the entire orbital structure had lost gravity for a heartbeat. The massive holo-screens still showed the frozen image of Nex-7's severed head mid-roll before the feed cut to black emergency screens. No one cheered. No one booed. The only sounds were the distant whine of energy barriers powering down and the soft thud of the Mechari body hitting the stone.
Then the noise exploded.
The Mechari Ascendancy delegation erupted first. Their representatives—full-cybernetic instructors and students—stood as one, circuits flashing red with fury. Their synthesized voices overlapped in a wave of outrage, demanding immediate justice, disqualification of the entire Stellar delegation, and calls for galactic enforcers. Some slammed metal fists on railings, denting alloy. Others activated communication links, sending urgent reports back to their home sectors.
Corporate scouts in the elevated boxes scrambled. Holo-pads lit up with frantic notes and live streams. Some leaned forward in excitement, others recoiled in horror. Hidden sect observers adjusted their illusion veils, whispering among themselves about forbidden pressure techniques and the sudden appearance of a new variable.
On the Stellar platform, the delegation stood in shock.
Kai's face had gone pale, his usual confident grin wiped away. His hands trembled slightly as he stared at the empty ring, mouth still open from the moment the pressure hit.
Gorak's massive red-skinned frame was rigid, tusks clenched so tight they creaked. His fists opened and closed, red Qi sparking uncontrolled between his fingers for the first time.
Lirael had both hands over her mouth, silver hair falling forward as she leaned on the railing for support. Her perfect posture cracked, eyes wide with disbelief.
Blitz's ears stayed flat against his head, claws half-extended but frozen. The speed specialist who prided himself on reaction time had felt the pressure just like everyone else—immobilized, helpless.
Across the arena, other academies reacted the same.
Iron Void's gravity users shifted uncomfortably, as if remembering how easily their own fields could be overridden.
Celestial Harmony's gentle auras flickered unstable.
Thunderforge's storm Qi crackled nervous.
Even the Aether Spire's energy beings dimmed slightly, their forms wavering.
Principal Vaeloria remained standing longer than most.
Her silver hair caught the arena lights as she stared at the spot where Lian had been.
Her mind raced.
That pressure.
Domain-like suppression.
But raw.
Unrefined.
Yet powerful enough to freeze the entire arena.
Including her.
She was Nebula Dominion Early—far above Lian's known realm.
Higher than almost every instructor present.
Higher than many scouts and observers.
Yet she had been locked in place.
Knife at throat feeling.
Unable to twitch.
Unable to protect.
Unable to intervene.
She looked around slowly.
Remembered others here stronger than her.
Late Nebula.
Peak.
Hidden sect elders in disguise.
Corporate enforcers.
All frozen too.
None moved.
None could.
A boy in Core Condensation.
No.
Lower from reports.
Had suppressed them all.
For her.
To reach Elara.
To punish the breach.
Her silver eyes narrowed.
Surprise first.
Then amazement.
Deep.
Who was he really?
Hidden bloodline?
Forbidden art?
Something new?
She sat slowly.
Hands folded.
Mind calculating.
Stellar position complicated now.
Murder charge.
Galactic incident.
But that power.
Worth it.
Perhaps.
The arena stayed chaotic long.
Announcer finally spoke.
Voice shaky.
"Tournament suspended pending investigation."
Crowd slow reaction.
Some left.
Some stayed.
Debate raged.
Hero or monster?
Justice or excess?
Mechari demanded blood.
Others whispered respect.
Fear.
The Ghost name everywhere.
With Cyborg.
Duo untouchable.
Stellar delegation gathered.
Quiet.
Shocked.
Proud faint.
Worried deep.
Principal addressed brief.
"We stand by our student."
"Self-defense."
"Rule breach first by opponent."
But eyes uncertain.
The silence after storm heavier.
Arena emptied slow.
Investigation teams arrived.
Reapers whispered closer.
But Lian gone.
Elara with him.
The line crossed.
Changed everything.
The tournament future unknown.
But the Ghost legend eternal now.